(NewsNation) — Anyone who’s in the fashion world has seen the rise of Labubus.
The designer toys, sold by the Chinese company Pop Mart, have been worn by the likes of Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and Lisa from BLACKPINK. But, the $30 item can be resold for hundreds or even thousands, which has led thieves to take notes and even worse — robberies.
Security footage from a toy store near Los Angeles showed four robbers getting away with nearly $10,000 worth of merchandise. This was followed by a similar robbery of Labubus at another store in June.
What is Labubu, and where can you buy them?
These problems all come as sales in the United States are surging.
“I am not surprised that they are being stolen, that places are getting robbed,” said Danni Limonez, Labubu collector. “I think that’s part of how it is, and people are in this craze. They’re very high in demand right now.”
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about counterfeit toy scams, with people buying Labubus and never getting them or receiving a fake version called a Lafufu. You can tell if a Labubu is real by scanning the QR code on the box or the tag of the doll.
Part toy, part fashion, the arrival of the viral Labubu was a long time in the making
Buyers only have a 1 in 72 chance of getting their hands on a limited-edition secret Labubu.
“I’ve been out $30, and, you know, actually I never even got one,” added Limonez.
Some economists argue that Labubus are really a recession indicator, showing that consumers will gravitate towards small purchases that don’t break the bank but still give them a hit of dopamine.
